BMW `well on the way` with 2009 plans.

BMW motorsport chief Mario Theissen says he feels the team is 'well on the way' with development of its 2009 Formula One challenger, with the F1.09 having now become the main focus of attention for the Hinwil-based squad.

Robert Kubica had held a slender chance of taking the 2008 drivers' title going into the Chinese Grand Prix, but a tough weekend in Shanghai saw his mathematical hopes come to an end.

Although BMW could overhaul McLaren for second in the constructors' championship, any hope of catching Ferrari also disappeared in China and as a result, the team is now firmly on next season – with testing of the new KERS system having already started.

"I believe we are well on our way," Theissen said. "The design work is running to plan, and we are also on track to finish our aerodynamic development on schedule.

"We have tested KERS in recent weeks. Not on the track, but on the straight in Miramas. That work is ongoing."

With its title hopes now officially over, Theissen said there would be no new developments on the F1.08 for the season finale at Interlagos, although he was keen to stress that the team would be doing all it could to end the season strongly.

"Developments is the wrong term," he said. "Of course we will be taking certain aerodynamic alignments with us, which will look different in Brazil to those seen in Shanghai.

"We will once again be attempting to get as much out of the package as possible."

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